– McMahon was hired by his father, Vince McMahon Sr., owner of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, as a WWWF announcer (replacing the retiring Ray Morgan).
– In June 1982, McMahon purchased the World Wrestling Federation from his father, who decided to retire from the wrestling business.
– The at one time World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was a regionally based promotion in the northeast. McMahon taped his wrestling shows and distributed them nationwide.
– The new owner of the WWF moved beyond his “territory.” The WWF received national recognition, leading to Wrestlemania in March 1985. Celebrities such as Mohammed Ali, Liberace, and baseball’s Billy Martin turned the extravaganza into a media spectacle.
– The crowning of the WWF as a national powerhouse came in March 1987 at Wrestlemania III. Over 78,000 fans jammed the Pontiac Silverdome (just outside of Detroit), to witness Hulk Hogan defeat the legendary Andre the Giant.
– McMahon continued his commenting duties, serving as the lead announcer for pay-per-views, Saturday Night’s Main Event specials, and on weekly WWF television.
– In November 1993, McMahon was charged with steroid distribution. McMahon stood trial in 1994, but was ultimately acquitted.
– With his WWF struggling in the cable ratings to Ted Turner’s WCW, McMahon made the decision to change the direction of the product from a G-rated cartoon to a more risqué style in the fall of 1997.
– On November 9, 1997, at the Survivor Series in Montreal, McMahon perpetuated the infamous “double cross.” Bret Hart, then WWF champion, squared off against hated rival Shawn Michaels. When Michaels put Hart in his own sharpshooter, referee Earl Hebner (on McMahon’s cue) called for the bell, and a new champion was announced.
– The incident led to McMahon’s on screen heel owner role as Mr. McMahon.
– The McMahon-Steve Austin feud led the WWF past WCW in the Nielsen ratings for the first time in eighty-three weeks on April 13, 1998.
– At the 1998 Survivor Series, The Rock defeated Mankind in the tournament final to be crowned the new WWF champion. The Rock turned heel and embraced Mr. McMahon, turning heel and becoming the “Corporate Champion.”
– McMahon faced Austin as the first two participants to enter the 1999 Royal Rumble. McMahon coaxed Austin to a backstage bathroom, leading the “rattlesnake” into a trap. Austin was jumped by the Corporation, and escorted away by an ambulance.
– The WWF chairman spent the rest of the Rumble at ringside doing commentary until Austin returned. The Rock distracted Austin, allowing McMahon to eliminate Stone Cold and win the Royal Rumble.
– McMahon relinquished his automatic title shot for Wrestlemania the next night on “Raw.” Commissioner Michaels declared Austin the number one contender for the WWF title.
– On the April 12, 1999 episode of “Raw,” Shane McMahon, Vince’s son, slapped the WWF chairman, claiming the elder McMahon had forgotten his priorities. It was all a smoke screen as it was revealed that Vince McMahon was the Undertaker’s “greater power.”
– Austin won the end of the era match at Fully Loaded in July 1999 over the Undertaker. As a result, Mr. McMahon was no longer permitted on WWF television.
– At the September 14, 1999 “Smackdown” television taping, McMahon’s arch rival Austin stunned Triple H, allowing the chairman to capture the WWF title.
– After a lengthy absence from television, McMahon returned March 13, 2000 on “Raw” to save The Rock from a “screw job” by his son Shane, and advance the “Great One” into the main event at Wrestlemania.
– McMahon turned against The Rock at Wrestlemania 2000, costing him the WWF title.
– On the June 22, 2000 episode of “Smackdown,” McMahon pinned The Rock in a six-man tag match.
– McMahon, after being away from television serving as a “genetic jackhammer” to wife Linda for several months, returned on November 6, 2000 to encourage WWF fans to vote for the next president of the U.S.
– On the December 7, 2000 edition of “Smackdown,” McMahon told his wife Linda that he wanted a divorce.
– Eleven days later on “Raw,” McMahon became acting CEO, and fired Mick Foley as commissioner.
– On the March 8, 2001 edition of “Smackdown,” McMahon kissed Trish Stratus in front of his wheel chair ridden wife.
– McMahon purchased World Championship Wrestling on March 23, 2001. McMahon himself appeared on the final “Nitro” on TNT three nights later.
– At Wrestlemania XVII in Houston, TX, McMahon aided Austin’s quest to win the WWF championship from The Rock. After the match, the WWF chairman shook hands with Austin, turning the “rattlesnake” heel.
– On the July 5, 2001 episode of “Smackdown,” McMahon was caught with his pants down (thanks to Torrie Wilson) in front of his wife Linda.
– Two days after the attack on America, McMahon returned to television to deliver a stirring speech to a sold out Houston crowd.
– On March 25, 2002, McMahon and Ric Flair conducted the WWF brand extension draft. McMahon drafted wrestlers for the Smackdown brand.
– On the June 10, 2002 edition of “Raw” in Atlanta, GA, McMahon defeated Flair in a no holds barred match to gain full ownership of WWE.
– At Vengeance ’03 in Denver, CO, McMahon defeated one legged wrestler Zach Gowen.
– On September 18, 2003, McMahon was inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame.
– At No Mercy ’03 in Baltimore, MD, McMahon defeated his daughter Stephanie in the first ever “father vs. daughter” match.
– McMahon defeated The Undertaker (thanks to interference from Kane) at the 2003 Survivor Series in a “buried alive” match.
– At age 60, McMahon appeared on the cover of Muscle and Fitness magazine.
– At Backlash ’06, Vince and Shane McMahon defeated Shawn Michaels.
– On the September 11, 2006 episode of “Raw” at Madison Square Garden, McMahon defeated his son-in-law, Triple H.
– At Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit, MI, McMahon got his head shaved in the battle of the billionaires with Donald Trump.
– At Backlash ’07 in Atlanta, GA, McMahon pinned Bobby Lashley (in a handicap match pitting Vince and Shane McMahon and Umaga against Lashley) to capture the ECW World Heavyweight title.
– On May 1, 2007, McMahon was voted into the GERWECK.NET Hall of Fame.
– On April 4, 2009 in Houston, TX, Steve Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by McMahon.